Page 114 of Strangers in Time

“The truth? And what things?” she asked. Molly’s mind was returning to the cut-out book and the mysterious visitor and the strange machine Charlie had found along with the paper in German. She couldn’t believe that Oliver was involved in anything criminal or suspicious. But she also couldn’t understand whatwasgoing on. Had Imogen killed herself because she thought her husband was… a traitor? Her stomach uncomfortably clenched.

When he looked at her, there was something there she couldn’t quite identify at first. Then she hit upon it.

Fear.

He got up and walked out without answering her, which did absolutely nothing to curb Molly’s growing anxiety.

The following morning Molly readied herself for work as Oliver prepared her breakfast. He had insisted, despite the canteen at the clinic, on making her breakfast and dinner each day.

Molly’s mind could not stray far from their very candid conversation from the previous night. Imogen Oliver had killed herself because the truth had fully come around and she couldn’t accept “things.” And Oliver felt guilty. And he might have been the reason she had jumped off that cliff in Cornwall. It was all so bewildering.

She ate her breakfast, put on her nursing cape and hat, and left the shop.

Mrs. Macklin was outside sweeping the cobbles. Molly sensed she had been waiting for her to leave for work.

“Off to nurse the sick and injured, are we?” Macklin said with a hint of sarcasm.

“Yes, I am.”

“Least no more bombings for a bit.”

“Yes, thank goodness.”

“How is Ignatius?”

“He’s fine, quite nearly healed.”

She was about to say goodbye and walk on, when Macklin said, “Just so’s you know, I saw that lad around here again.”

Molly froze and turned back around. “What lad?”

“The lad that was here with you. Seen him in the shop with you and Ignatius. I talked to him before. He said he wanted a job with Ignatius, but I don’t think he was telling the truth.”

“When did you see him?”

“Oh, a while back. Weeks it was. Do you know him?”

“I… I don’t know if we’re talking about the same person.”

“See, the thing is this Inspector Willoughby, I believe was his name, came by to see me, probably the same time he talked to Ignatius. There was a lad and a bobby killed down that way, you know, like we was talking about before. That inspector was keen to find one of the lads. Said his name was Charlie… Matters, yes, that’s right. Could have sworn he was the same one in there with you and Ignatius. Fit the description and all.”

“I’m sure a lot of boys look alike, Mrs. Macklin.”

“What’s your lad’s name then?”

“Tommy, Tommy Barnwell,” said Molly immediately. It was the first name that came into her head. It was actually the name of a boy she had met in the country, the son of a farmer, with a thick shock of red hair.

“So where is he now?”

“He left us and we haven’t seen him since. So it’s quite surprising that you saw him outside the shop. I wonder why he didn’t let us know he was here.”

“Yes, yes, that is quite puzzling,” said Macklin slowly. She clearly did not believe a word of what Molly was saying. “And where is he from?” she asked.

“Um, somewhere around here, I believe,” Molly said cautiously.

“Really? The boy told me he was from the East End.”

“Oh, yes, that’s right. I got mixed up.”

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